2.27.2015

Angry Reader of the Week: Koji Steven Sakai

What's up, good people? You know what time it is. Gather 'round to meet the Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Koji Steven Sakai.

Who are you?

My name is Koji Steven Sakai. I wrote and produced Asian American movies such as The People I've Slept With and #1 Serial Killer (which used to be called Chink). Most recently, I wrote a book called Romeo & Juliet Vs. Zombies. And according to my toddler, the #4 ranked person in my family, behind the dog, wife, and son -- in that order.

What are you?

I'm a father and a husband. I'm a writer, producer, Vice President at the Japanese American National Museum. I'm Asian American, a fourth generation Japanese American if you want to be exact. I'm an activist and advocate for all things Asian American and have dedicated much of my life to the cause. I heart zombies, young adult novels, and dystopian futures. And I like romantic strolls on beaches, puppies, and sunrises.

Where are you?

I am born and raised in the 626 -- which if you don't know, is the area code for the San Gabriel Valley and Stich's real name from the Disney movie Lilo & Stich. And as far as I'm concerned, the only (and best) place to live in Southern California. Where else can you get authentic and delicious tacos and dim sum in the same area? Okay, there are a few other places, but you get my drift.

Where are you from?

I come from a neighborhood where at least half the people around me were Asian/Asian American. So I come from a place where I always felt happy, welcome, and proud. I never felt as though I had to be or wanted to be anything other than who I am. Thank you mom and dad for buying a house in the 626.

What do you do?

Like everyone nowadays, I'm a hybrid. One side of me is creative. I've written four feature film that have been produced (two of which I produced myself) and then my debut novel (Romeo & Juliet Vs. Zombies), which is for sale right now over on Amazon... hint... hint. I'm always writing and working on a ton of projects. The next film I'm involved with is called, Dying to Kill, which is the directorial debut of Raymond C. Lai, who's a super talented and upcoming Asian American director. The movie stars Dwayne Perkins and Lynn Chen.

The other side of me is also creative in a different way. I have spent the last five plus years programming over at the Japanese American National Museum -- which is fancy way of saying, I help oversee the exhibitions and public programs at the museum. Most recently I worked on "Hello! The Supercute World of Hello Kitty." I am now a self-anointed Hello Kitty expert -- go ahead, ask me a question. I love my work at JANM and consider myself lucky because I get to promote not just Japanese Americans, but Asian Americans in history, art, culture, etc.

What are you all about?

I'm all about movement. People are always talking about doing things, I always want to be moving. Creating. Talking. Thinking. Reading. Making movies. Writing books. Putting on exhibitions and programs. I see standing still as a form of death. I can't even stay in my house for long periods of time. I know it drives my family crazy (sorry family). Maybe if I grew up now I would be diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, but it what gets me out of bed to write at three AM every morning to write even after staying up all night with my kid.

What makes you angry?

I've gotten less angry as I've gotten older. I used to be angry at everyone and the world. My theme song was 2Pac's "Me Against the World." But nowadays with everything I have going on -- not to mention raising a rambunctious toddler -- I don't have the time to be so angry all the time. Besides, we're living in the best time ever to be Asian American. I'm jealous of my child. He gets to grow up in a time where Asian Pacific Islanders are represented everywhere -- film, television, writers, politicians, actors, business leaders, entrepreneurs, network television, etc. Are things perfect? No. Should there be more of APIs in all those fields? Yes. But I feel we're in the beginning of a renaissance and I'm excited because for the first time in a long time I see hope.